How to Reduce Adjective Clauses

Adapted from M Young

HOW TO REDUCE ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

1. Look at the relative pronoun in the adjective clause. Is it a subject or object pronoun?

*If it is an object pronoun or “whose + noun,” you cannot reduce the clause.

*If it is a SUBJECT pronoun, you CAN reduce the clause, so go to the next step.

The people whom we met were very nice.  not possible to reduce

The people whose car we borrowed were very nice.  not possible to reduce

The people who met us were very nice.  possible to reduce

2. Look at the verb inside the adjective clause. Is it active voice or passive voice, or a “BE” verb?

*If it is ACTIVE voice, take out a) the relative pronoun and b) all of the helping verbs. Then change the main verb (MV) to the present participle ( -ing). The verb tense does not matter—you can change any verb tense.

People who arrive late will miss the quiz.  People arriving late will miss the quiz.

People who arrived late missed the quiz.  People arriving late missed the quiz.

People who have arrived late will miss the quiz.  People arriving late will miss the quiz.

*If it is PASSIVE voice, take out a) the relative pronoun and b) all of the helping verbs. Then change the main verb (MV) to the past participle. Again, the verb tense does not matter—you can change any verb tense.

People who were given a chance were happy.  People given a chance were happy.

People who will be given a chance will be happy.  People given a chance will be happy.

Homework which has been written by another will get a zero.

Homework written by another will get a zero.

*If it is a “BE” verb, just take out the relative pronoun and the verb. However, note the exceptions below.

The food which is on the table looks delicious.  The food on the table looks delicious.

People who are late to class will miss the quiz  People late to class will miss the quiz.

Pets, which are a lot of pleasure, are also a great responsibility. 

Pets, a lot of pleasure, are also a great responsibility.

EXCEPTIONS: You CANNOT reduce an adjective clause with only a “BE” verb if

--the complement is only an adjective

People who are late will miss the quiz.  not possible

Grades that are high are desirable.  not possible

--the complement is a noun, AND the adjective clause is identifying

(restrictive--no commas)

Pets which are birds can be very messy.  not possible

People who are teachers work on weekends.  not possible

NOW you try:

Reduce the following adjective clauses (if possible)

1. My sister, who is an artist, is really talented.

2. Elena, whose purse was stolen, was really angry.

3. Venice, where the water level is rising, may one day disappear.

4. The dragon that scared the prince ran away.

5. The prince admired the princess who saved his life.

6. The prince, whom the princess saved, got lost in the forest.